Elderly woman killed, 5 injured in Portland car rampage

A man with a history of driving violations repeatedly drove into people along the streets and sidewalks in Portland, Oregon on Monday. The driver killed 77-year-old Jean Gerich, who died of blunt force trauma, according to the Oregon State Medical Examiner, who ruled the death a homicide. 

People at the scene tried in vain to help her.

“Jean Gerich was not a nameless victim. She was a loving mother of two. She was a proud grandmother of five, ages 4 to 16. She would have turned 78 in twelve days. She beat cancer five years ago. She received her first vaccination shot last week and was overjoyed to get out in the world again,” the family said.

The driver, whose name will not be used here because he doesn't deserve the anonymity, ran from the scene but was surrounded by neighbors and held until the police arrived and wrestled him into custody.

The other five victims were taken to hospitals but authorities said they believe more people were hurt who did not require ambulance transport.

The first call came in at around 1:00 p.m. saying that a driver hit a pedestrian. Soon more calls followed saying that a person driving the same suspect vehicle, a Honda Element, was striking other people and vehicles.

Ms. Gerich had an appointment with Larry Wolfe that day and he told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he saw her get hit by the car and scream as he was walking toward her. Then the car came back and hit her again, did a U-turn and dragged her along the street.

The scumbag eventually crashed the Honda one final time, fled on foot but was stopped and held for police.

The police found no bias or terrorism motive as the catalyst for the rampage but the driver who was from Oregon City. But they did say the driver's actions showed he intended to injure people, but that “detectives did not find evidence that this was an act of terrorism. Detectives did not find bias indicators, nor do they believe this is politically motivated.”

According to The Oregonian, the driver had a history of dangerous driving, citing court records that indicate his license was reinstated in 2014 after three convictions for failing to obey traffic signs in 2017, 2011, and 2013.

He was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on initial charges of second-degree murder, assault and failure to perform the duties of a driver, the Portland Police Bureau said in a news release.

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